Systems and methods for monitoring patient compliance with medication regimens

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for facilitating effective self-management of medication treatment by patients. A Smart Tray monitors and reports to third parties a patient&#39;s compliance with various medication treatment regimens. Medication containers are provided with electromagnetic tags that provide various information about medicament contained within a respective container. A Smart Tray is equipped with a processor and reader that interrogates each respective electromagnetic tag to identify medicament(s) contained within each container. Using the retrieved information, a Smart Tray provides visual and/or audio signals to a patient to remind the patient when and how much of various medicaments to take. A Smart Tray also monitors, via the reader, when a medication container is removed. A Smart Tray can communicate with one or more third parties, such as healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other suppliers of healthcare products and services via a computer network. In addition, a Smart Tray can communicate with various appliances and can modify medication regimens for particular medicaments in response to data received from various appliances.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to healthcare systems andmethods and, more particularly, to systems and methods for monitoringhealthcare treatment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] According to the National Medical Expenditure Survey of 1987, 90million Americans suffer from one or more chronic conditions. Treatmentof these chronic conditions represents over 76% of health careexpenditures and the total direct costs of treating these chronicconditions is estimated to rise to $798 billion by the year 2030.

[0003] Many patients with chronic conditions are treated at homeunfortunately, many patients may be unable to reliably manage theirtreatment, such as medication regimens, at home without the supervisionof a healthcare provider. To be effective, medications often must followvarious scheduling and dietary guidelines. For example, some medicationsare to be taken with food, others are not. Some medications are to betaken only once a day, others multiple times per day. Remembering whento take a medication and how much of it can become difficult as thenumber of concurrent medications increases.

[0004] Various devices for assisting patients in following medicationregimens are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,719 to McIntoshdescribes a medication clock for signaling the times that dosages of amedication should be taken. The McIntosh device also provides a recordof when each medicine was taken for comparison with the medicationschedule. In addition, the McIntosh device can monitor and recordtemperature, blood pressure and pulse rate of the user.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,037 to Raven discloses an alarm pill boxwhich cancels the alarm when a compartment lid is opened. A visualdisplay is used to indicate the number of times that the lid has beenopened within one day.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,327 to Shepherd et al., describes a dispenserfor providing scheduled dosages of pills according to a predeterminedmedication program. A housing contains a plurality of pill containersfrom which dosages of pills may be released into a user-accessible pillreceiver. The release of pills is controlled such that pills arereleased at predetermined intervals as dictated by the medicationprogram. On release of a dosage of pills, an alarm is activated toindicate to a user that a dosage is due to be taken, the alarm beingdeactivated when the user accesses the pill receiver to remove thedosage of pills. If the user does not access the pill receiver within apredetermined time interval from release of the dosage, an optionalremote alarm may be activated to alert a supervisor.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,316 to Hanpeter et al. describes a medicationcompliance monitoring system consisting of a blister pack having anarray of plastic blisters defining compartments for medication. Theblister pack has a frangible non-conductive backing sheet includingconductive traces behind the compartments which are respectivelyruptured when the medication doses are removed. An electronic memorycircuit detects when individual compartments are ruptured and storesthis information.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,443 to Weinberger describes amedication-dispensing system that includes a prescribing data entrystation for use by a physician to store prescription information in aportable prescribing module, a dispensing data entry station for use bya pharmacy to store dispensing information in a portable dispensing datastorage unit, and a medication dispenser responsive to informationstored in the portable prescribing module to describe use of medicationin the dispenser in accordance with a regimen prescribed by thephysician and to the dispensing data storage unit to control dispensingof the medication. One embodiment has two medication drawers, eachhaving a plurality of compartments with indicating lights selectivelyindicating the compartment from which medication is to be taken, ascreen for displaying instructions regarding loading of the medicationcompartments and taking of the medication, and a keyboard including aconfirming entry key for actuation by the user to confirm compliancewith the instructions. Another embodiment has a series ofmedication-containing compartments, each covered by a separate slidingor folding cover.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,491 to Mucciacciaro describes a holder havinga plurality of recesses for holding a plurality of medicationcontainers, each fitting into a unique recess. The geometry of thebottom of each medication container is unique and only matches onerecess in the holder. A sensor in each recess signals the presence orabsence of the dedicated container to a microprocessor. Themicroprocessor is programmed with the prescribed dose administrationschedule for each of the different medications in the differentcontainers. A real time clock cooperates with the microprocessor and theprogram to signal audibly and visibly by a light at the appropriatecontainer when a particular pill is to be administered. The signals stopwhen the appropriate container is removed from its recess. A different,warning sound indicates when the wrong container is lifted.

[0010] E-pill (www.epill.com) offers a pager system that sends remindersto patients to take their medication at specific times of the day.Carebridge (www.carebridge.net) provides an electronic timing devicethat patients can use to help them to remember to take their medication.

[0011] IBV Technologies (1500 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle, Wash.98109) provides a medication vial that records the time a patient takeshis/her medication when a button is pressed by the patient. Whenreturned to a pharmacy for a refill, the pharmacy can download andreview a compliance report from the vial and counsel the patientregarding medication compliance.

[0012] APREX (30112 Eigenbrodt Way, Union City, Calif.) provides atelemedicine service for monitoring medication compliance. Patients taketheir medication from medication containers outfitted with caps thathave a mini-computer therein. When patients remove the cap from a bottleto take a dose of the medication contained therein, the mini-computerrecords the time and date of the dosing event. At the end of the day,patients place their medication bottles on a specially configured modemthat transmits daily dosing information to a selected healthcareprovider. If the healthcare provider detects a problem in how or whenpatients are taking their medication, those patients are called the nextday by specially trained healthcare providers.

[0013] The MediMonitor®, available from InforMedix, Inc. (5920 HubbardDr., Rockville Md. 20852), is configured to retain a month's supply ofup to five medications in individual compartments and alerts patientswhen and how to take the medications. The MediMonitor® also monitorsmedication use and health status by providing a date and time-stampedrecord of a patient's medication-taking behavior, together with patientresponses to specific questions. The MediMonitor® can transmitinformation via an Internet-accessible server and database to clinicaldrug trial sites, physicians, pharmacies and other healthcare providers.Healthcare providers can communicate information, as well as remindersand specific instructions, directly to patients via the MediMonitor®.

[0014] Szeto et al. describe a holder having receptacles for fivestandard sized medication containers, a four-line 20-characteralphanumeric LCD, and connectors for power supply and datacommunications. A microswitch embedded in a wall of each receptacledetects whether the receptacle is occupied or empty.

[0015] Unfortunately, existing devices for assisting patients infollowing medication regimens can be somewhat expensive and complex indesign. Furthermore, existing devices for assisting patients infollowing medication regimens can seem somewhat intrusive to a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is directed to systems and methods forfacilitating effective self-management of medication treatment bypatients. A “Smart Tray” is provided that is capable of monitoring andreporting to third parties a patient's compliance with various treatmentregimens, including medication regimens. Medication containers areprovided with electromagnetic tags or other identifiers that providevarious information about one or more medicaments contained within arespective container. A Smart Tray is equipped with a reader thatinterrogates each respective electromagnetic tag to identifymedicament(s) contained within each container. The reader may alsoretrieve other information as well, such as dosage regimens. Using thisretrieved information, a Smart Tray can provide visual and/or audiosignals to a patient to remind the patient when and how much of one ormore medicaments to take. A Smart Tray also monitors, via a reader, whena medication container is removed and stores this information. This canprovide an indication of whether or not medication was taken inaccordance with one or more medication regimens.

[0017] A Smart Tray according to the present invention can be configuredto communicate with one or more third parties, such as healthcareproviders, pharmacies, and other suppliers of healthcare products andservices via a computer network such as the internet (or an intranet), awide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN). For example, aSmart Tray, upon sensing that a supply of a particular medicament islow, can place an order for more of the medicament directly with apharmacy or via a healthcare provider.

[0018] In addition, a Smart Tray can communicate with various appliancesand devices including, but not limited to, personal computers, Web TVs,weight scales, refrigerators, exercise devices, and scanners. A SmartTray can modify medication regimens for particular medicaments inresponse to data received from various appliances. For example, if aSmart Tray receives data from an exercise device that a patient hasincreased his/her exercise regimen, a processor within the Smart Traymay adjust one or more of the patient's medication regimens. Inaddition, data can be retrieved from various health monitoring devices,such as blood pressure monitors and the like. Retrieved data may also beutilized by a Smart Tray to modify various medication regimens.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a SmartTray can be configured to determine whether two or more medicaments arecontraindicated. The electromagnetic tags associated with two or moremedication containers can be interrogated to identify medicamentscontained within the respective containers. The Smart Tray can thendetermine, based on information retrieved from each respectiveelectromagnetic tag, whether or not medicaments contained within therespective containers are contraindicated. If two or more medicamentsare determined to be contraindicated, a patient can be alerted by theSmart Tray. Similarly, a third party healthcare provider may be alertedby the Smart Tray.

[0020] The present invention may facilitate compliance with medicationregimens, especially complex regimens involving multiple medications. Assuch, the present invention may reduce medication errors made bypatients, such as taking the wrong drug, taking the wrong dose, taking adose at the wrong time, or various combinations thereof. Furthermore,the present invention may reduce the need for patients to remember whenand how much of a particular medication to take.

[0021] In addition, the present invention may facilitate prescriptionrefills such that a patient receives a new prescription without a lapsein medication occurring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system for interactivelymanaging medication regimens of patients, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a system for interactivelymanaging medication regimens of patients, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention wherein the Smart Tray of FIG. 1 isconfigured to communicate with one or more appliances and devices.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a Smart Tray according to oneembodiment of the present invention wherein multiple medicationcontainers are removably received within respective receptacles. Inaddition, a blood pressure monitor is removably received within anotherreceptacle referred to as a sensing surface.

[0025]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates various electronic componentsincluded within a Smart Tray according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an exemplary medicationcontainer having an RFID tag affixed to a bottom surface thereof.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an exemplary medicationcontainer having an RFID tag affixed to a bottom surface thereof andhaving a piezoelectric element affixed to, and in communication with,the RFID tag.

[0028] FIGS. 7-10 illustrate operations for monitoring compliance withmedication regimens according to various aspects of the presentinvention.

[0029]FIG. 11 illustrates a person having an identification tag attachedthereto that allows a Smart Tray to identify the person when placingobjects on the Smart Tray or when removing objects from the Smart Tray,according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 12 illustrates a pill having an identifying tag or indiciaattached thereto, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0031]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a Smart Tray according to anotherembodiment of the present invention wherein receptacles are not utilizedand wherein visual indication of the presence of an object is utilized.

[0032]FIG. 14 illustrates operations for identifying a person tagged viaan electromagnetic tag according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention now is described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferredembodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of thedrawings.

[0034] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the presentinvention may be embodied as methods and systems. The present inventionmay take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects. Throughout the description ofthe present invention, the terms medicament, medicine, drug, andmedication may be used interchangeably.

System Overview

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 10 according to an embodimentof the present invention for facilitating effective self-management ofmedication treatment by patients is schematically illustrated. Theillustrated system 10 includes an electronic apparatus 12, referred toas a “Smart Tray”, that is capable of monitoring and reporting to thirdparties a patient's compliance with various treatment regimens,including medication regimens. The Smart Tray 12 can be configured toremind patients of medication they are to take at a given time of dayand to record whether or not the medication was taken.

[0036] The Smart Tray 12 can also be configured to communicate with oneor more third parties, such as healthcare providers 14, pharmacies 16,and other suppliers 18 of healthcare products and services via acomputer network 20 such as the internet (or an intranet), a wide areanetwork (WAN), or a local area network (LAN). The Smart Tray 12 may beconfigured to communicate with various data processing systems andcomputing devices of third parties in order to transfer and receivevarious information. For example, the Smart Tray 12, upon sensing that asupply of a particular medicament is low, can place an order for more ofthe medicament directly with a pharmacy 16 or via a healthcare provider14. Preferably, the Smart Tray 12 utilizes a modem that is configured tocommunicate with external computing devices via a communicationsnetwork.

[0037] According to another embodiment of the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 2, a system 10′ includes a Smart Tray 12 that cancommunicate with various appliances (22 a-22 f). Exemplary appliancesmay include, but are not limited to, personal computers 22 a, Web TVs 22b, weight scales 22 c, refrigerators 22 d, exercise devices 22 e, andscanners 22 f. The Smart Tray 12 preferably contains a processor that isconfigured to modify medication regimens for particular medicaments inresponse to data received from various appliances. For example, if theSmart Tray 12 receives data from an exercise device 22 e that a patienthas increased his/her exercise regimen, a processor within the SmartTray 22 may adjust one or more of the patient's medication regimens.Similarly, medication regimens may be modified pursuant to data receivedfrom a weight scale 22 c that a patient's weight has changed. Apatient's food intake (as well as chemical intake, such as sodium) mayalso be monitored when a Smart Tray is in communication with arefrigerator 22 d, or with a scanner that is configured to scan packagesof food. It will be understood that although communications between theSmart Tray 12 and the other devices in FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrated aswired communications, wireless communications also may be used.

Smart Tray

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, a Smart Tray 12, according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Theillustrated Smart Tray 12 has an elongated configuration with agenerally flat surface 30. Disposed within the surface 30 are aplurality of receptacles 32 configured to removably receive a pluralityof medication containers 34 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, thereceptacles 32 have a cylindrical configuration for removably receivingcylindrical medication containers 34 (i.e., conventional pill bottles).However, it is understood that the Smart Tray 12 may have receptacleswith various configurations for removably receiving medicationcontainers of various configurations and is not limited to theillustrated embodiment. For example, custom medication containerscontaining “cocktails” (i.e., multiple medicaments) that are forone-time use may be utilized with a Smart Tray according to the presentinvention. These custom medication containers may have various shapesand sizes.

[0039] The illustrated Smart Tray 12 also includes a display 35, such asan LCD (liquid crystal display), located adjacent the plurality ofreceptacles 32. Various types of displays may be utilized. The SmartTray 12 is not limited to an LCD. The display 35 is configured todisplay various types of information to a patient. For example, and aswill be described below, when it is time for a patient to take aparticular medicament, or combination of medicaments, instructions canbe displayed to the patient.

[0040] The illustrated Smart Tray 12 also includes a sensing surface 37located adjacent the plurality of receptacles 32 and display 35. As willbe described below, the sensing surface 35 is a receptacle that isconfigured to removably receive and interact with various objects thatpatients may use to perform a healthcare functions. Exemplary “objects”include, but are not limited to, blood pressure monitors, thermometers,pagers, glucometers, prothrombin and coagulation monitors.

[0041] As illustrated schematically in FIG. 4, the Smart Tray 12 mayinclude a processor 40. An RF coil array 41, multiplexer 42, and a modem43 are in communication with the processor 40. The RF coil array 41serves as an electromagnetic tag reader that can rapidly identifyelectromagnetic tags associated with objects disposed within areceptacle in the Smart Tray 12. The RF coils within the array 41 areswitched by the multiplexer 42 in order to allow the position ofmultiple objects within the Smart Tray 12 to be tracked concurrently.Multiplexers are understood by those of skill in the art and need not bedescribed further herein.

[0042] Preferably, the RF coil array 41 can identify electromagnetictags resonating within a range of about 55 kHz to about 85 kHz. However,it is understood that electromagnetic tags resonating at otherfrequencies may also be identified using an RF coil array according tothe present invention. Moreover, it also will be understood that variousother types of identifiers may be used on the containers 34 including,but not limited to, one and two dimensional bar codes, graphicalindicia, and other electronic tags. Corresponding sensors includingoptical, magnetic, and capacitive sensors also may be provided.Moreover, the identifiers and sensors need not be of the same type.

[0043] The processor 40 may be virtually any type of processor, such asan 8-bit processor, and controls electromagnetic tag reading and displayfunctions. In addition, the processor 40 preferably retains a history ofevents within memory, as will be described in detail below. Dosageregimens for various medicaments may be stored within processor memory.In addition, dosage regimens may be read from electromagnetic tagsattached to medicament containers and stored within processor memory. Itwill be understood that general purpose processors or special purposeprocessors may be used. Moreover, an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) may be provided to integrate one or more of the elementsof FIG. 4. The ASIC can include a processor and/or logic circuits tocontrol operations.

[0044] The modem 43 is configured to communicate with external computingdevices so that data stored within processor memory can be transmittedto healthcare providers and other third parties, including medicamentsuppliers (e.g., pharmacies), and so that information can be receivedfrom healthcare providers and other third parties.

[0045] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, each RF coil within the array 41 isassociated with (and is preferably positioned adjacent to) a respectivereceptacle 32. An RF coil in the array 41 is also associated with (andpositioned adjacent to) the sensing surface 37. Each RF coil isconfigured to independently sense the presence of an object having anelectromagnetic tag, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID)tag, secured thereto. For example, an RF coil associated with aparticular receptacle 32 can sense the presence of an object having anelectromagnetic tag disposed within the receptacle. It will also beunderstood that one RF coil can sense multiple RFID tags on one or morecontainers. As such, one RF coil may be utilized for more than onereceptacle 32.

[0046] In addition, each RF coil in the array 41 is configured tocommunicate with an electromagnetic tag attached to an object in thevicinity of the RF coil. Preferably, each RF coil serves as a “reader”that can “interrogate” an electromagnetic tag (or other identifier) toobtain information stored within the electromagnetic tag (or otheridentifier). When attached to a medication container, an electromagnetictag may contain information that identifies one or more medicamentscontained within the container, and information about dosage rates andfrequency of dosages. Other information relevant to a patient'streatment may also be stored within an electromagnetic tag. For example,information about whether a medicament needs to be taken with food,whether a patient should avoid sunlight may be included, and othersimilar types of information may be included. Information obtained froman electromagnetic tag by an RF coil may be stored within the processormemory.

[0047] RF coils and their use in detecting the proximity ofelectromagnetic tags and for interrogating electromagnetic tags forinformation are understood by those of skill in the art and need not bediscussed further herein. A particularly preferred Smart Tray having anarray of RF coils for detecting the proximity of objects tagged withelectromagnetic tags and for interrogating electromagnetic tags forinformation is disclosed in a co-assigned and co-pending U.S.Provisional Application, entitled Platform for Item Sensing andIdentification (Attorney Docket Number 109026-77) which was filed Dec.29, 1999, and which is incorporated herein by reference, in itsentirety.

[0048] RFID tags typically contain circuitry that stores and transmitsinformation about the item attached to the tag in cooperation with acompatible RFID reader/writer. Conventional RFID circuitry does notrequire a battery or an external energy source. However, a battery maybe included. RF energy is typically transmitted by an RF readerspecifically adapted to interact with the RF circuitry of an RFID tag.RFID tags are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,222 which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary medication container 34 hasan RFID tag 50 affixed to the bottom surface 34 a thereof. An RF coil(39, FIG. 6) associated with a respective receptacle 32 is configured todetect the presence of a medicine container 34 disposed therein via theRFID tag 50. In addition, an RF coil is also configured to interrogatethe circuitry of the RFID tag 50 to obtain information therefrom.Although the illustrated RFID tag 50 is attached to the bottom surface34 a of the medicine container, it is understood that RFID tags can beattached to (or incorporated within) medication containers in variouslocations, and the RF coil may be located at various locations.

[0050] Referring back to FIG. 3, the illustrated Smart Tray 12 includesan LED (light emitting diode) 36 adjacent each respective receptacle 32.Each LED 36 serves as a visual indicator for displaying visual signalsto a patient. For example, when a medication container 34 is placedwithin a respective receptacle 32, the LED 36 adjacent the receptacle 32may display a green color. When a medicament within a medicationcontainer 34 disposed within a receptacle 32 is to be taken by apatient, the LED 36 may display a red color, or may flash in order togain the attention of the patient. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.3, five medication containers 34 are disposed within five respectivereceptacles 32. An LED 36 adjacent each of these receptacles isilluminated to indicate the presence of a medication containertherewithin.

[0051] In addition, the Smart Tray 12 may include an audio indicatorthat can audibly signal a patient as to which medications should betaken in accordance with a medication regimen. Exemplary audio signalsmay include, but are not limited to, voice commands and signals such asbells, whistles, beepers, buzzers, and the like.

[0052] The number of flashes and/or audio signals can be used toindicate the number of pills (dosage amount) to be taken. For example,three flashes (or audio signals) can indicate three pills, two flashes(or audio signals) can indicate two pills, and so forth. In addition,voice commands may also be utilized to specify medicament quantity.

[0053] Each time a tagged medication container 34 is placed within areceptacle 32, or a tagged object is placed on the sensing surface 37,the event is recorded by a processor 40 or other device within the SmartTray 12. Similarly, each time a medication container 34 is removed froma receptacle 32, or an object is removed from the sensing surface 37,the removal event is recorded by the Smart Tray processor 40 or otherdevice. Each event is stored and can be communicated to other computingdevices via a communications network 20.

[0054] The Smart Tray 12 may be configured to communicate with computingdevices via communications networks that conform to various standardsand protocols including, but not limited to, the Bluetooth standard. Asis well known to those having skill in the art, Bluetooth technologyprovides a universal radio interface in the 2.45 GHz frequency band thatenables portable electronic devices to connect and communicatewirelessly via short-range ad hoc networks. Bluetooth technology isdescribed for example in Haartsen, “Bluetooth-The Universal RadioInterface for Ad Hoc, Wireless Connectivity”, Ericsson Review No. 3,1998, pp. 110-117, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference. In addition, a serial data connection may be provided toallow the exchange of data with external appliances and other devices.

[0055] When a medication container 34 is placed within a receptacle 32,an RF coil associated with the receptacle 32 can interrogate an RFID tag50 attached to the medication container to obtain information about themedicament(s) within the container 34. Exemplary information includesthe name of the medicament (s) and a dosage regimen for themedicament(s). A dosage regimen typically includes an amount of amedicament and time(s) that each dose is to be taken. In addition, otherinformation, such as whether to take a medicament with food, or whetherto avoid taking a medicament in conjunction with other types ofmedications, can also be retrieved from an RFID tag. Preferably, a SmartTray 12 according to the present invention can display various types ofinformation to a patient via the display 35.

[0056] According to another embodiment of the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 6, one or more piezoelectric elements 60 or otherweighing devices may be attached to a medicine container 34. In theillustrated embodiment, a piezoelectric element 60 is attached to anRFID tag 50 on the bottom surface 34 a of a medication container 34. Asis understood by those of skill in the art, piezoelectric elementsgenerate an electrical signal when a mechanical stress is appliedthereto. Accordingly, by measuring an electrical signal generated by apiezoelectric element 60 stressed under the weight of the medicinecontainer 34, the weight (and, thus, the amount) of medicament withinthe medication container 34 can be determined. By using piezoelectricelements, a Smart Tray 12 according to the present invention can monitorhow much of a medicament has been taken over time, thereby facilitatingmonitoring user compliance with medication regimens. Piezoelectricelements according to this aspect of the present invention cancommunicate with an RFID tag attached to a medication container (orother object) or can communicate directly with an RF coil or othersensor within the Smart Tray 12.

[0057] Referring back to FIG. 3, a blood pressure monitor 70 is disposedon the sensing surface 37. An RF coil associated with the sensingsurface 37 preferably communicates with an electromagnetic tag (notshown) attached to the blood pressure monitor 70 and downloadsinformation therefrom. For example, after measuring his/her bloodpressure with the blood pressure monitor 70, a patient can place theblood pressure monitor 70 on the sensing surface 37 and blood pressureinformation can be downloaded to and stored within the Smart Trayprocessor 40. This information may be transmitted to a third partyhealthcare provider via modem 43. Alternatively, this information may beused to modify one or more dosage regimens for one or more medicamentsas described above.

[0058] The sensing surface 37 may be used to download information fromvirtually any type of healthcare device having an electromagnetic tagattached thereto or embedded therewithin that a patient may useincluding, but not limited to, blood pressure monitors, thermometers,pagers, glucometers, prothrombin and coagulation monitors.

[0059] A Smart Tray according to the present invention passively andunobtrusively facilitates monitoring patient compliance with medicationtreatment regimens. For example, the Smart Tray can remind patientswhich medication to take using visual and/or audio cues. In addition,the Smart Tray can record medication administration as an aid to diseasemanagement. Furthermore, the Smart Tray can facilitate diseasemanagement by providing education and motivation to patients.

[0060] A Smart Tray according to the present invention also canfacilitate control over medicament inventory by automatically placingorders prior to supply depletion. A Smart Tray can be incorporated intoa medicine cabinet or shelf, and can be integrated with kitchen shelffor both diet and medication management. A Smart Tray may be utilizedwith various medicine-dispensing regimens. For example, the Smart Traycan be utilized with dispensers of liquid medicines. A Smart Tray mayalso be incorporated within a refrigeration device. A portable versionof a Smart Tray may be configured for travel.

[0061] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a SmartTray can be configured to alert patients if one or more medicaments arecontraindicated. As is known to those of skill in the art, the term“contraindicated” means that when administered together, two or moremedicaments may cause an adverse reaction in a patient or can inhibitthe effectiveness of each other. Contraindications may be signaled via avisual indicator or via an audio indicator, or some combination of audioand visual indicators.

[0062] A Smart Tray according to the present invention need not havereceptacles for receiving medication containers and other objects. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a Smart Tray 12′ may have agenerally flat surface 30 for receiving tagged objects such asmedication containers 34. An RF coil array can be configured torecognize a tagged object placed anywhere on the surface 30. Varioustypes of visual indicators may be utilized to indicate the presence of atagged object. In the illustrated embodiment, portions 361 of thesurface directly beneath a tagged medication container 34 areilluminated to indicate the presence of the tagged medication containers34.

Operations

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, operations for monitoring patientcompliance with medication treatment, according to various embodimentsof the present invention, are illustrated. Referring initially to FIG.7, a medication container containing one or more medicaments isremovably received within a receptacle of a Smart Tray (Block 100). Thecontainer has an electromagnetic tag or other indicia associatedtherewith (e.g., attached thereto or embedded therein), such as an RFIDtag, that may contain various types of information about themedicament(s) within the container. Exemplary information includes, butis not limited to, an identification of each medicament and dosageregimens for each medicament within the container.

[0064] The electromagnetic tag is interrogated by a reader, such as anRF coil, to retrieve information, such as an identification of themedicament(s) and/or a dosage regimen(s), from the electromagnetic tag(Block 110). A patient is then alerted via the Smart Tray to take a doseof a medicament in accordance with a dosage regimen associated with theidentified medicament(s) (Block 120). Each time the patient removes thecontainer from the receptacle, the time of removal may be detected bythe reader and stored (Block 130).

[0065] A patient may be alerted by the Smart Tray to take a dose of themedicament(s) via visual and/or audio indicators. For example, a lightmay flash to indicate that a particular medicament is to be taken (andhow much is to be taken). Similarly, an audio signal may sound toindicate that a particular medicament is to be taken (and how much is tobe taken). Synthesized voice instructions also may be generated. Inaddition, a patient may be alerted via a display that displays messages.

[0066] Each time a container is returned to a receptacle, an amount ofmedicament(s) remaining in the container may be determined (Block 140).As described above, this step is preferably performed usingpiezoelectric elements or other weight sensors that deflect under theweight of the container and its contents.

[0067] According to another embodiment of the present invention,communications may be established between a Smart Tray and one or moreexternal computing devices via a communications network (Block 150).Information may then be transmitted from the Smart Tray to the externalcomputing device(s) (Block 160). For example, communications may beestablished with one or more healthcare providers that use data from theSmart Tray to determine whether a patient is in compliance with amedication (or other treatment) regimen. A healthcare provider cancommunicate with a patient by sending messages that can be displayed toa patient via the Smart Tray display (Block 170). In addition, ahealthcare provider can modify a dosage regimen by transmitting commandsto the Smart Tray. As another example, communications may be establishedwith a medicament supplier such that additional medicament may besupplied to a patient.

[0068] In addition, a patient may establish communications with anexternal computing device via the Smart Tray, such as a Web site, andretrieve information therefrom (Block 170). For example, informationabout a particular medicament may be displayed to a patient, either viathe Smart Tray or via a PC or Web TV in communication with the SmartTray.

[0069] According to another embodiment of the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 8, a Smart Tray can be configured to communicatewith one or more appliances including, but not limited to, exercisedevices, refrigerators, scanners, and weight scales. According to thisembodiment, communications are established between a Smart Tray and anappliance (Block 200). Data is then retrieved from the appliance (Block210). For example, a patient's weight is retrieved from a scale, or apatient's intake of sodium is retrieved from a “smart” refrigerator thatmonitors food obtained therefrom by the patient. A medication (or other)regimen associated with one or more medicaments can then be modified inresponse to data received from one or more of the appliances (Block220).

[0070] A patient may be alerted by the Smart Tray of modified medicationregimens (Block 230). In addition, third parties, such as healthcareproviders, may be notified of modified medication regimens (Block 240).As described above, the Smart Tray may notify third parties byestablishing communications with external computing devices andtransmitting information therebetween.

[0071] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a SmartTray can be configured to modify a dosage regimen based upon dataretrieved from a health monitoring device. Referring to FIG. 9, amedication container containing one or more medicaments is removablyreceived within a receptacle of a Smart Tray (Block 300). The containerhas an electromagnetic tag associated therewith, as described above,that may contain various types of information about the medicament(s)within the container. The electromagnetic tag is interrogated by areader, such as an RF coil, to retrieve information, such as anidentification of the medicament(s) and/or dosage regimen(s), from theelectromagnetic tag (Block 310).

[0072] A health monitoring device is placed within a receptacle (e.g.,the sensing surface 37 described above) of a Smart Tray (Block 320). Thehealth monitoring device has an electromagnetic tag attached theretothat identifies the health monitoring device. Data is then retrievedfrom the health monitoring device (Block 330). For example, the healthmonitoring device may be a blood pressure monitor that a patient hasjust used to measure his/her blood pressure. The patient places theblood pressure monitor within the receptacle and blood pressure data isretrieved by the Smart Tray.

[0073] A medication (or other) regimen associated with one or moremedicaments can be modified in response to data received from a healthmonitoring device (Block 340). A patient may be alerted by the SmartTray of modified medication regimens (Block 350). In addition, thirdparties, such as healthcare providers, may be notified of modifiedmedication regimens (Block 360). As described above, the Smart Tray maynotify third parties by establishing communications with externalcomputing devices and transmitting information therebetween.

[0074] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a SmartTray can be configured to determine whether two or more medicaments arecontraindicated. Referring to FIG. 10, two or more medication containersare removably received within respective receptacles of a Smart Tray(Block 400). As described above, each medication container includes anelectromagnetic tag or other identifier/indicator that contains variousinformation about medicament(s) contained within the respectivecontainer. The electromagnetic tag of each container is theninterrogated (Block 410) as described above. A determination is made,based on information retrieved from each respective electromagnetic tag,whether or not medicaments contained within the respective containersare contraindicated (Block 420). If two or more medicaments aredetermined to be contraindicated, a patient is alerted by the Smart Tray(Block 430). As described above, visual and/or audio signals may beutilized to alert a patient.

Tagging Persons and Medications

[0075] According to additional embodiments of the present invention,persons and medications can be “tagged.” In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 11, a person 70 is wearing a bracelet 72. The bracelet 72contains an identification tag that can be recognized by a sensor of theSmart Tray 12. Preferably, the identification tag is an electromagnetictag, such as an RFID tag that can be interrogated by an RF coil array asdescribed above. According to this embodiment, a Smart Tray 12 canidentify a particular person that is placing or removing objects on theSmart Tray 12 or removing objects from the Smart Tray 12.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 14, a Smart Tray reader is configured tointerrogate an electromagnetic tag, such as an RFID tag, attached to aperson and retrieve information therefrom, such as the person'sidentity, when the person accesses an object on the Smart Tray (Block500). The term “accessing” can mean placing a medication container on aSmart Tray and removing a medication container from a Smart Tray. Inaddition, the term “accessing” can mean placing on a Smart Tray and/orremoving from a Smart Tray various other tagged objects including, butnot limited to, blood pressure monitors and other monitoring devices.Preferably, a Smart Tray according to this embodiment of the presentinvention stores in the Smart Tray (or elsewhere) a time when a personaccesses an object held by the Smart Tray (Block 510).

[0077] Referring to FIG. 12, a comestible medicament 80 includes anon-toxic electromagnetic tag 82 thereon that allows a Smart Tray toidentify the individual comestible medicament 80. The illustratedcomestible medicament 80 is in pill form; however, it is understood thatother types of comestible medicament forms may be utilized, such ascaplets, capsules and the like. In addition, it is understood that anontoxic electromagnetic tag may be disposed within a comestiblemedicament.

[0078] By tagging individual units of medication, a Smart Tray accordingto the present invention can accurately track whether a particular doseof a medication has been taken by a patient at a prescribed time. Inaddition, tagging individual medication units can facilitate controlover medication inventories.

[0079] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is notto be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplaryembodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in theexemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thisinvention as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understoodthat the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is notto be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, andthat modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as otherembodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, withequivalents of the claims to be included therein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of monitoring patient compliancewith medication treatment, the method comprising the steps of: removablyreceiving a container within a receptacle in an apparatus, wherein thecontainer contains a medicament, wherein the container has anelectromagnetic tag attached thereto, wherein the electromagnetic tagcontains information about the medicament, and wherein the apparatusincludes a reader that is configured to interrogate the electromagnetictag and retrieve information therefrom; interrogating theelectromagnetic tag via the reader to retrieve information therefrom,wherein the retrieved information comprises an identification of themedicament; alerting a patient to take a dose of the medicament inaccordance with a dosage regimen associated with the identifiedmedicament; and storing in the apparatus a time when removal of thecontainer from the receptacle is detected by the reader.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic tag is a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag and wherein the reader comprises anRFID tag reader.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step ofalerting a patient to take a dose of the medicament comprises providinga visual signal adjacent the receptacle.
 4. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the step of alerting a patient to take a dose of themedicament comprises providing an audio signal to the patient via theapparatus.
 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatuscomprises a display, and wherein the step of alerting a patient to takea dose of the medicament comprises displaying a message via the display.6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of alerting apatient to take a dose of the medicament comprises providing anindication of medicament quantity.
 7. The method according to claim 6wherein the step of providing an indication of medicament quantitycomprises providing at least one of a visual signal and audio signal viathe apparatus.
 8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatusincludes a processor in communication with the reader and wherein thedosage regimen associated with the medicament is stored within processormemory.
 9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the informationretrieved from the electromagnetic tag comprises a dosage regimenassociated with the medicament.
 10. The method according to claim 1further comprising the step of measuring an amount of medicament in thecontainer when the container is removably received within thereceptacle.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the step ofmeasuring an amount of medicament in the container comprises measuringan electric signal generated by a weight sensor positioned between thecontainer and the receptacle.
 12. The method according to claim 1further comprising the steps of: establishing communications between theapparatus and an external computing device via a communications network;and transmitting information from the apparatus to the externalcomputing device.
 13. The method according to claim 12 wherein thecontainer contains a plurality of different medicaments to be taken by apatient at a prescribed time.
 14. The method according to claim 12wherein the external computing device is a computing device of asupplier of the medicament and wherein the information transmitted tothe external computing device comprises a request for an additionalquantity of the medicament.
 15. The method according to claim 1 furthercomprising the steps of: establishing communications between theapparatus and an appliance; retrieving data from the appliance; andmodifying the medication regimen associated with the medicament inresponse to data received from the appliance.
 16. The method accordingto claim 1 further comprising the steps of: establishing communicationsbetween the apparatus and a third party computing device via acommunications network; retrieving information from the third partycomputing device about the medicament; and displaying the retrievedinformation.
 17. A method of monitoring patient compliance withmedication treatment, the method comprising the steps of: removablyreceiving a container within a first receptacle of an apparatus, whereinthe container contains a medicament, wherein the container has anidentifier attached thereto, wherein the identifier contains informationabout the medicament, and wherein the apparatus includes a reader thatis configured to interrogate the identifier and retrieve informationtherefrom; interrogating the identifier via the reader to retrieveinformation therefrom, wherein the retrieved information comprises anidentification of the medicament; placing a health monitoring devicewithin a second receptacle of the apparatus; retrieving data from thehealth monitoring device; and modifying the dosage regimen associatedwith the medicament in response to data received from the healthmonitoring device.
 18. The method according to claim 17 furthercomprising the step of notifying a patient of the modified dosageregimen for the medicament.
 19. The method according to claim 17 furthercomprising the step of notifying a healthcare provider of the modifieddosage regimen for the medicament.
 20. The method according to claim 17wherein the step of alerting a patient to take a dose of the medicamentcomprises providing a visual signal adjacent the first receptacle. 21.The method according to claim 17 wherein the step of alerting a patientto take a dose of the medicament comprises providing an audio signal tothe patient via the apparatus.
 22. The method according to claim 17wherein the apparatus comprises a display, and wherein the step ofalerting a patient to take a dose of the medicament comprises displayinga message via the display.
 23. The method according to claim 17 whereinthe step of alerting a patient to take a dose of the medicamentcomprises providing an indication of medicament quantity.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 23 wherein the step of providing an indication ofmedicament quantity comprises providing at least one of a visual signaland audio signal via the apparatus.
 25. A method of monitoring patientcompliance with multiple medication dosage regimens, the methodcomprising the steps of: removably receiving a plurality of containerswithin a respective plurality of receptacles in an apparatus, whereineach container contains a medicament, wherein each container has anelectromagnetic tag attached thereto, wherein each electromagnetic tagcontains information about the medicament within a respective container,and wherein the apparatus includes a reader that is configured tointerrogate the electromagnetic tag of each container and retrieveinformation therefrom; interrogating each of the electromagnetic tagsvia the reader to retrieve information therefrom, wherein the retrievedinformation comprises an identification of medicament contained withineach respective container; alerting a patient to take a dose ofmedicament from respective ones of the containers in accordance with arespective dosage regimen associated with each of the identifiedmedicaments; and storing in the apparatus a time when removal of eachcontainer from a respective receptacle is detected by the reader. 26.The method according to claim 25 wherein each electromagnetic tag is aradio frequency identification (RFID) tag and wherein the readercomprises an array of RFID tag readers, wherein each RFID tag reader isassociated with one or more receptacles.
 27. The method according toclaim 25 wherein the step of alerting a patient to take a dose ofmedicament from respective ones of the containers comprises providingvisual signals adjacent respective ones of the receptacles.
 28. Themethod according to claim 25 wherein the step of alerting a patient totake a dose of medicament from respective ones of the containerscomprises providing an audio signal to the patient via the apparatus.29. The method according to claim 25 wherein the apparatus comprises adisplay, and wherein the step of alerting a patient to take a dose ofmedicament from respective ones of the containers comprises displayingat least one message via the display.
 30. The method according to claim25 wherein the step of alerting a patient to take a dose of medicamentfrom respective ones of the containers comprises providing an indicationof medicament quantity.
 31. The method according to claim 30 wherein thestep of providing an indication of medicament quantity comprisesproviding at least one of a visual signal and audio signal.
 32. Themethod according to claim 25 wherein the apparatus includes a processorin communication with the reader and wherein a dosage regimen associatedwith each medicament is stored within processor memory.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 25 wherein information retrieved from eachelectromagnetic tag comprises a dosage regimen associated with arespective medicament.
 34. A method of monitoring patient compliancewith medication treatment, the method comprising the steps of: removablyreceiving first and second containers within respective first and secondreceptacles of an apparatus, wherein the first and second containerscontain respective different first and second medicaments, wherein thefirst and second containers have respective first and second identifiersattached thereto, wherein the first and second identifiers containinformation about the respective first and second medicaments, andwherein the apparatus includes a reader that is configured tointerrogate each identifier and retrieve information therefrom;interrogating the first and second identifiers via the reader toretrieve information therefrom, wherein the retrieved informationcomprises an identification of the first and second medicaments; anddetermining whether the first and second medicaments arecontraindicated.
 35. The method according to claim 34 further comprisingthe step of alerting a patient if the first and second medicaments arecontraindicated.
 36. The method according to claim 34 wherein eachidentifier is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and whereinthe reader comprises an RFID tag reader.
 37. The method according toclaim 34 wherein the step of alerting a patient comprises providing avisual signal adjacent at least one of the first and second receptacles.38. The method according to claim 34 wherein the step of alerting apatient comprises providing an audio signal.
 39. The method according toclaim 34 wherein the apparatus comprises a display, and wherein the stepof alerting a patient comprises displaying a message via the display.40. The method according to claim 34 wherein the information retrievedfrom the respective first and second identifiers comprises dosageregimens associated with the respective first and second medicaments.41. The method according to claim 34 further comprising the steps of:establishing communications between the apparatus and a third partycomputing device via a communications network; retrieving informationfrom the third party computing device about the contraindication of thefirst and second medicaments; and displaying the retrieved information.42. A method of monitoring patient compliance with medication treatment,wherein a patient has an electromagnetic tag attached thereto thatcontains information about the patient, and wherein an apparatus forholding a medication container includes a reader that is configured tointerrogate the electromagnetic tag and retrieve information therefrom,the method comprising the step of interrogating the electromagnetic tagvia the reader to identify the patient when the patient accesses amedication container held by the apparatus.
 43. The method according toclaim 42 further comprising the step of storing in the apparatus a timewhen the patient accesses a medication container held by the apparatus.44. The method according to claim 42 wherein the electromagnetic tag isa radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and wherein the readercomprises an RFID tag reader.
 45. An apparatus that monitors patientcompliance with medication treatment, comprising: a receptacle forremovably receiving a container therein, wherein the container containsa medicament, and wherein the container has an electromagnetic tagattached thereto that contains information about the medicamentincluding an identification of the medicament; a reader that isconfigured to interrogate the electromagnetic tag and identify themedicament; an indicator that alerts a patient to take a dose of themedicament in accordance with a dosage regimen associated with theidentified medicament; and memory associated with the apparatus thatstores a time when removal of the container from the receptacle isdetected by the reader.
 46. The apparatus according to claim 45 whereinthe electromagnetic tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tagand wherein the reader comprises an RFID tag reader.
 47. The apparatusaccording to claim 45 wherein the indicator is a visual indicatorpositioned adjacent the receptacle.
 48. The apparatus according to claim45 wherein the indicator comprises an audio indicator.
 49. The apparatusaccording to claim 45 wherein the indicator comprises a display.
 50. Theapparatus according to claim 47 wherein the visual indicator isconfigured to provide an indication of medicament quantity.
 51. Theapparatus according to claim 48 wherein the audio indicator isconfigured to provide an indication of medicament quantity.
 52. Theapparatus according to claim 45 further comprising a processor incommunication with the reader and wherein the dosage regimen associatedwith the medicament is stored within the processor memory.
 53. Theapparatus according to claim 45 wherein the information retrieved fromthe electromagnetic tag comprises a dosage regimen associated with themedicament.
 54. The apparatus according to claim 45 wherein thecontainer comprises a weight sensor that generates an electric signalwhen the container is removably received within the receptacle, andwherein the apparatus reader is configured to measure an electricalsignal generated by the weight sensor to measure an amount of medicamentin the container.
 55. The apparatus according to claim 45 furthercomprising a modem that is configured to communicate with externalcomputing devices via a communications network.
 56. The apparatusaccording to claim 45 further comprising a plurality of receptacles forreceiving a respective plurality of medicament containers.
 57. A systemfor monitoring patient compliance with medication treatment, comprising:a container that contains a medicament, wherein the container has anidentifier attached thereto that contains information about themedicament including an identification of the medicament; an apparatus,comprising: a receptacle for removably receiving the container therein;a reader that is configured to interrogate the identifier and retrieveinformation therefrom; an indicator that alerts a patient to take a doseof the medicament in accordance with a dosage regimen associated withthe identified medicament; memory associated with the apparatus forstoring a time when removal of the container from the receptacle isdetected by the reader; and a modem that is configured to communicatewith external computing devices via a communications network; and acomputing device in communication with the apparatus via acommunications network, wherein the computing device transmits andreceives information to and from the apparatus.
 58. The system accordingto claim 57 wherein the identifier is a radio frequency identification(RFID) tag and wherein the reader comprises an RFID tag reader.
 59. Thesystem according to claim 57 wherein the indicator comprises a visualindicator positioned adjacent the receptacle.
 60. The system accordingto claim 57 wherein the indicator comprises an audio indicator.
 61. Thesystem according to claim 57 wherein the apparatus comprises a display.62. The system according to claim 59 wherein the visual indicator isconfigured to provide an indication of medicament quantity.
 63. Thesystem according to claim 60 wherein the audio indicator is configuredto provide an indication of medicament quantity.
 64. The systemaccording to claim 57 wherein the apparatus includes a processor incommunication with the reader and wherein the dosage regimen associatedwith the medicament is stored within processor memory.
 65. The systemaccording to claim 57 wherein the information retrieved from theidentifier comprises a dosage regimen associated with the medicament.66. The system according to claim 57 wherein the container comprises aweight sensor that generates an electric signal when the container isremovably received within the receptacle, and wherein the apparatusreader is configured to measure an electrical signal generated by theweight sensor to measure an amount of medicament in the container.
 67. Asystem for monitoring patient compliance with medication treatment,comprising: a container that contains a medicament, wherein thecontainer has an identifier attached thereto that contains informationabout the medicament including an identification of the medicament; anapparatus, comprising: a receptacle for removably receiving thecontainer therein; a reader that is configured to interrogate theidentifier and retrieve information therefrom; and memory associatedwith the apparatus that stores a time when removal of the container fromthe receptacle is detected by the reader; and an appliance incommunication with the apparatus, wherein the appliance is configured totransfer data to the apparatus.
 68. The system according to claim 67wherein the apparatus is configured to modify a medication regimenassociated with the medicament in response to data received from theappliance.
 69. The system according to claim 67 wherein the appliancecomprises at least one of an exercise device, a weight scale, a scanner,and a refrigerator.
 70. The system according to claim 67 wherein theidentifier comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag andwherein the reader comprises an RFID tag reader.
 71. The systemaccording to claim 67 wherein the apparatus further comprises at leastone of a visual indicator and audio indicator that alerts a patient totake a dose of the medicament in accordance with a dosage regimenassociated with the identified medicament.
 72. A system for monitoringpatient compliance with medication treatment, comprising: a containerthat contains a medicament, wherein the container has an identifierattached thereto that contains information about the medicament; and anapparatus, comprising: a first receptacle for removably receiving thecontainer therein; a second receptacle for removably receiving a healthmonitoring device therein; a reader that is configured to interrogatethe identifier and retrieve information therefrom, and wherein thereader is configured to retrieve data from a health monitoring devicewithin the second receptacle; and wherein the apparatus is configured tomodify a dosage regimen associated with the medicament in response todata retrieved from the health monitoring device.
 73. The systemaccording to claim 72 wherein the identifier comprises a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag and wherein the reader comprises an RFID tagreader.
 74. The system according to claim 72 wherein the apparatusfurther comprises memory that stores a time when removal of thecontainer from the receptacle is detected by the reader.
 75. The systemaccording to claim 72 wherein the apparatus further comprises at leastone of a visual indicator and audio indicator, wherein the visualindicator is configured to alert a patient to take a dose of themedicament in accordance with a dosage regimen associated with theidentified medicament.
 76. A system for monitoring patient compliancewith medication treatment, comprising: a first container that contains afirst medicament, wherein the container has a first identifier attachedthereto that contains information about the first medicament, includingan identification of the first medicament; a second container thatcontains a second medicament different from the first medicament,wherein the second container has a second identifier attached theretothat contains information about the second medicament, including anidentification of the second medicament; an apparatus, comprising: afirst receptacle for removably receiving the first container therein; asecond receptacle for removably receiving the second container therein;a reader that is configured to interrogate the first and secondidentifiers and retrieve information therefrom, wherein the retrievedinformation includes an identification of the first and secondmedicaments; and wherein the apparatus is configured to determinewhether the first and second medicaments are contraindicated.
 77. Thesystem according to claim 76 wherein each of the identifiers is a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag and wherein the reader comprises anRFID tag reader.
 78. The system according to claim 76 wherein theapparatus further comprises a visual indicator that indicates the firstand second medicaments are contraindicated.
 79. The system according toclaim 76 wherein the apparatus further comprises an audio indicator thatindicates the first and second medicaments are contraindicated.
 80. Thesystem according to claim 76 wherein the apparatus comprises a displaythat displays a message that the first and second medicaments arecontraindicated.
 81. An apparatus that monitors patient compliance withmedication treatment, comprising: a surface for removably receiving acontainer thereon, wherein the container contains a medicament, andwherein the container has an electromagnetic tag attached thereto thatcontains information about the medicament including an identification ofthe medicament; a reader that is configured to interrogate theelectromagnetic tag and identify the medicament; an indicator thatalerts a patient to take a dose of the medicament in accordance with adosage regimen associated with the identified medicament; and memoryassociated with the apparatus that stores a time when removal of thecontainer from the surface is detected by the reader.
 82. The apparatusaccording to claim 81 wherein the electromagnetic tag is a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag and wherein the reader comprises anRFID tag reader.
 83. The apparatus according to claim 81 wherein theindicator is at least one of a visual indicator, an audio indicator, anda display.
 84. A comestible medicament comprising a non-toxicelectromagnetic tag, wherein the electromagnetic tag containsinformation about the medicament including an identification of themedicament.
 85. The comestible medicament according to claim 84 whereinthe electromagnetic tag is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.